Acknowledgements

The Learning Centre
Curtin University of Technology
Kent Street
Bentley
Western Australia 6102

All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purposes of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanic, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this electronic resource.

TLC online programs design and development by L.SiragusaMusic in video clips written and performed by L.Siragusa

Language and structure

Like all languages, English is a coded system: the most effective way for adult writers to begin doing this is not by memorising the code rules (although these are important) but by coming to terms with the structure of written language. From this structural understanding, we are better able to rationalize the rules for ourselves and in this way gain confidence in applying them.

Before going further, you might like to pause for a moment to think about structure. Look around you for a moment. Tables and chairs, libraries and gardens, plants and sentences: each has an underlying structure that enables it to function effectively. In fact, structure is always a key factor in functional effectiveness.

Consider, for example, the structure of a bridge. Similarly, sentences are structured to carry meaning; the more soundly the sentence has been constructed, the more effectively the meaning can be transmitted by the writer and understood by the reader.

The following audio-visual presentation shows a bridge as an example of structure.

Better Sentences

Language and Structure

Better Sentences

Language and Structure

A bridge needs to be properly structured to allow traffic to pass safely and effectively from one position to another.

Similarly, sentences are properly structured to effectively carry meaning from the writer to the reader.

The following demonstrates how, with good structure, the meaning can be effectively transmitted.

Activities

A note about the exercises

The exercises included in this program are interactive; that is, you can do them on the screen and you will receive feedback. There are different types of interactive exercises such as multiple-choice and drag-and-drop exercises. Read the instructions that are provided.